Lead Airframe Structures Engineer

Approach Venture; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

401(k) retirement plan

Unlimited paid time off

On-site fitness facility

Job summary

Approach Venture in San Diego leads the development of a next-generation aircraft platform and seeks a Lead Airframe Structures Engineer to own the structural development strategy from concept through first flight.

You will guide the structures team, make design decisions, manage joint design and sizing, and coordinate with manufacturing, suppliers, and leadership to hit milestones and optimize weight, cost, and performance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience designing aircraft structures or related aerospace hardware.
• Experience leading structural engineering efforts on complex aerospace development programs.
• Strong understanding of load paths, structural mechanics, and airframe architecture.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools and FEA for sizing and analysis.
• Knowledge of FAA Part 23/25 certification requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall structural design strategy for the aircraft from concept through flight testing.
• Provide technical leadership for the structures team and mentor engineers.
• Own structural architecture, design decisions, and project schedules.
• Direct airframe trade studies to optimize weight, manufacturability, and cost.
• Design primary and secondary structures using composites and metals.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, analysis, systems, and supply chain teams.
• Interface with structural suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Review deliverables for quality, accuracy, and schedule execution.
• Perform sizing, joint design, and preliminary stress assessments using analysis/FEA.
• Identify risks and drive mitigation and issue resolution.
• Align technical priorities with program objectives with leadership.
• Support integration, ground testing, and first-flight readiness.

Skills

Aerospace engineering

Leadership

Structural analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

FEA

Job description

Lead Airframe Structures Engineer – Lead the Structural Design of a Next-Generation Aircraft Platform

San Diego, California | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a fast-growing aerospace company developing a new generation of highly efficient aircraft designed to improve commercial and defense aviation. The team is advancing an innovative aircraft platform that combines advanced aerodynamics, lightweight structures, and modern manufacturing techniques to deliver significant improvements in efficiency, payload capability, and operational performance. As the Lead Airframe Structures Engineer, you will own the structural development strategy for the aircraft while leading a team responsible for airframe design from early concept through first flight. This role combines hands‑on engineering with technical leadership, requiring close collaboration across design, analysis, manufacturing, suppliers, and executive leadership to ensure successful execution of critical development milestones.

About Us

We are an engineering-driven aerospace company developing advanced aircraft platforms that challenge traditional aircraft design. Backed by strong commercial momentum and an experienced leadership team, we are building an integrated engineering organization focused on bringing innovative aviation technologies from concept into production through rapid development, rigorous testing, and scalable manufacturing.

Job Duties

• Lead the overall structural design strategy for the aircraft from concept development through flight testing
• Provide technical leadership for the structures engineering team while mentoring and developing engineers
• Own structural architecture, design decisions, technical execution, and project schedules
• Direct airframe trade studies to optimize weight, manufacturability, performance, and cost
• Design primary and secondary aircraft structures using composite and metallic materials
• Coordinate closely with manufacturing, structural analysis, systems engineering, and supply chain teams
• Serve as the primary engineering interface for structural suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Review engineering deliverables and ensure design quality, technical accuracy, and schedule execution
• Perform or oversee structural sizing, joint design, and preliminary stress assessments using analytical methods and FEA
• Identify technical risks, develop mitigation plans, and drive engineering issues to resolution
• Partner with executive leadership to align technical priorities with overall program objectives
• Support aircraft integration, ground testing, and first-flight readiness activities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 10+ years of experience designing aircraft structures or closely related aerospace hardware
• Experience leading structural engineering efforts on complex aerospace development programs
• Strong understanding of aircraft load paths, structural mechanics, and airframe architecture
• Expertise designing composite aircraft structures and structural assemblies
• Experience designing bonded and mechanically fastened joints
• Proficiency with modern 3D CAD software such as NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks
• Experience performing structural sizing using hand calculations and finite element analysis
• Familiarity with design for manufacturing, tooling development, and production planning
• Working knowledge of FAA Part 23 or Part 25 certification requirements
• Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced product development environment with evolving priorities

Preferred Experience

• Experience leading aircraft development from program kickoff through production
• Background supporting rapid aircraft development or prototype flight programs
• Hands‑on experience with composite fabrication and assembly
• Structural ground testing or certification testing experience
• Previous experience supporting first-flight or flight test campaigns

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to help define the structural architecture of a next‑generation aircraft platform
• Significant technical ownership and influence over major engineering decisions
• Work alongside experienced aerospace engineers in a highly collaborative environment
• Equity ownership and career growth within a rapidly expanding engineering organization
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Unlimited paid time off
• On‑site fitness facility

Compensation Details

$150,000 – $190,000